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I'm facing this problem in a friends apartment in MA. His studs are 24 on center which met code requirements when it was built. I had planned to go with a piece of half inch ply, but it seems 3/4 is more favored as a choice. I was going to secure two wood 2x4's to the inside of the existing steel ones, then split the distance and use the 3rd in the middle. Then mount the plywood to the new studs. And then the Vesa mount to the ply. Would it be wise to cut a piece out of the sheetrock from floor to cieling that is just wide enough to maneuver the drill into allowing me to shoot screws the length of the wood into the steel? And should I shoot screws through the sheetrock as well? Thanks.

This TV was in a perfect spot on top of a console. A classic case of inventing a problem so you can work on a solution

Georgehas Leftthebuilding
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2 Answers2

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If Elfa drywall and plaster anchors can hold shelving, they should be able to hold a TV. I don't think it is necessary to open the wall. Drywall supported by a pair of steel studs should be sufficient.

Use four of these anchors, or their equivalent, through the drywall and through the edges of the steel studs to clamp a suitable piece of plywood to the studs and drywall. The 5th drywall anchor (they come in pkg of 5) could be used in the top middle even though there is no stud there.

The plywood would be 26" wide by whatever height is required. The TV bracket would be screwed into the plywood.

https://www.containerstore.com/s/elfa/components/hardware-tools/elfa-drywall-and-plaster-anchors/123d?productId=10031759

EDIT

The instructions for the Elfa anchors specify 10 mm (or 3/8") dia holes in the drywall (and steel studs), but the holes in the plywood must be 5 mm dia (or 3/16"), just large enough to allow the shaft of each screw to pass through.

The exact procedure would be to mark the centers of the two studs. Hold the piece of plywood onto the wall level and so it overlaps the centers of the two studs by an inch on each side. Drill 5 mm holes in the five locations through the plywood, through the drywall, and through the edges of the studs. Remove the plywood and drill the holes in the drywall and studs to 10 mm. Use the 10 mm drill to countersink the 5 mm holes in the plywood for the flathead machine screws of the anchors. Note that these anchors are limited to total wall thickness of 1" including the plywood so countersink accordingly. Any anchor that clamps on the back vtge drywall will have a limit.

Insert the anchors in the holes and drive them so the outer edge is flush to the drywall. Fasten the plywood to the wall with the five anchors. Use an electric driver to turn the screws because these are fine thread machine screws which take a lot of turns.

Jim Stewart
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Why not just place and screw a 2x4 between the top and bottom plates at 16in on center until you fill in the width of the area. Now screw as many 2x4's on edge to the studs wherever you plan on mounting the tv.

Then screw your plywood into the studs you add, then screw the sheetrock into the plywood and use lag bolts to screw the tv mounting hardware into the 2x4 backing.

and/or completely do away with the plywood.

norcal johnny
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